France
Germany
Germany
Game of the tournament so far sees World Champions France take on struggling giants Germany
France to win 2-1
France peaked in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and have continued that incredible level of performance over the last few years.
Since reached the final of Euro 2016, to be beaten by fellow Group F nation Portugal, France have barely put a foot wrong and will be hoping to repeat their success of winning the 1998 World Cup followed by the Euros in 2000.
They have star names all over the pitch, and it will be difficult to see which team could stop them going all the way. That said, they have the toughest group at the tournament.
Germany are a four-time World Cup winner and a three-time Euros winner, but they have been on something of a slump over the past few years. They too have a team packed with star quality, but confidence appears low after taking some big losses in recent years.
Can they recover here, as they so often do, at a major tournament in what will be their manager’s last dance?
World Ranking: 2
Best Historical Finish at the Euros: Winners, 1984/2000
Predicted Finish This Year: Winners
Reasons to be cheerful:
World class names all over the pitch
Haven’t lost their opening Euros game in 61 years
Reasons to be fearful:
Rumours of arguments within the squad
Not as high-scoring as other teams
One of the main stories to come out of the squad announcements for this tournament was that Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was to be brought back into the French squad after a six-year exile.
He adds quality as a central striker and could help to boost their goal tally too. They only scored 25 goals in qualifying, compared to 40 for Belgium and 37 for England and Italy.
Nevertheless, this is a team who builds around defensive solidity followed by individual moments of brilliance going forward. In Kante, they have arguably the best defensive midfielder ever, the back four of Pavard, Varane, Kimpembe and Hernandez is solid as a rock and their attacks are lightning quick.
They are expected to top their group.
Star Man – Kylian Mbappe
The 22-year-old has been world class since he was a teenager, winning the World Cup and scoring in the final back in 2018. He has only improved since then, and stopping him is close to impossible.
World Ranking: 12
Best Historical Finish at the Euros: Winners, 1972/1980/1996
Predicted Finish This Year: Quarter Finals
Reasons to be cheerful:
Despite low confidence, they have some world class players
Departing manager Joachim Low will want to end on a high
Reasons to be fearful:
France are currently a class apart
Conceded plenty of goals recently
On many occasions in the past, Germany have not looked at their best heading into an international tournament, only to come good when on the big stage and go deep into the competition.
That said, they have not been successful in the Euros for 25 years now, and although manager Joachim Low have reached the Semi Finals twice, he will be desperate to cap off his managerial career with success here.
Since they won the World Cup in 2014, they haven’t look quite the same. Now, they have a talented squad but are not playing up to their full potential. Recently, they have conceded six goals against Spain, two against North Macedonia and three against Switzerland and Turkey.
Can they come good here?
Star Man – Serge Gnabry
Germany lack a typical ‘number nine’ striker, but Serge Gnabry is a fine young striker and can add goals.
Should be even in terms of possession
France have the edge going forward
Could be interesting if Germany score first
This could be a tight affair to open Group F, with both teams knowing that the loser will put themselves at an immediate disadvantage in terms of progression to the knockout phase.
In France’s Pogba and Kante, and Germany’s Kroos and Gundogan, both teams have players who can control the match, and it’s likely to be a game built around possession rather than end-to-end football.
That said, France’s attack is lightning quick and any chance they get to score, they probably will.
France to win 2-1
